/ ˈsɪvl; NAmE / adjective
1.
[ only before noun ] connected with the people who live in a country :
civil unrest (= that is caused by groups of people within a country)
—see also civil war
2.
[ only before noun ] connected with the state rather than with religion or with the armed forces :
a civil marriage ceremony
3.
[ only before noun ] involving personal legal matters and not criminal law :
a civil court
—compare criminal
—see also civil law
4.
polite in a formal way but possibly not friendly
OPP uncivil
► civ·il·ly / ˈsɪvəli; NAmE / adverb :
She greeted him civilly but with no sign of affection.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via Old French from Latin civilis , from civis citizen.